Our Problem

Back in 2002, Gordy’s needed to improve its communications with its Service Department located a few miles away from their main office in Fontana and its Pro Shop located across the street. No one was connected and there was no way for anyone to easily share information. Gordy’s had made the choice to install a new application to manage their Marina, Pro Shop and Boat Service facilities, but they needed help bringing these locations together. They were also having connectivity issues with their current Internet Service Provider, instability with their file server and issues retrieving their e-mail regularly. In order for everything to work properly, everyone needed to be connected and the issues with their current systems needed to be resolved.

Our Solution

Util-IT had to address several issues. Initially, we put in a new file server and e-mail system at the lakefront, provided connectivity to their Service Facility via a point to point T1 and migrated them to a new Internet Service Provider with a best in class firewall protecting their network. The changes were felt immediately and gave them ability to share data and connect everyone together to use their new Marina and Service Management Software. “We finally had the ability to share files, e-mail and, most importantly, we had visibility to our Service Department in real time from the Lakefront,” commented Owner, Rallee Chupich. “Everything is consistently running without issue and we are much more efficient.” With e-mail working reliably and data being available and backed up on a regular basis, the staff at Gordy’s could now spend time focused on their customers and business.

Given the successes at the Lakefront, Gordy’s was in a position to expand their business and opened new offices in Fox Lake, WI in 2006. According to Jeff Chupich, General Manger of the Fox Lake facility, “with Util-IT’s help, we were confident that we could expand to this location. We had the experience in the boating business and knew they would get us everything we required from the technology perspective. They thoroughly understood our needs and helped us select solutions that were an ideal fit for us.” Util-IT linked this facility to the offices in Fontana via a secure VPN connection, set up their phone systems, and ensured they had access to their sales database and marina system; all of which made the transition to this site seamless. “It is like we are still sitting in Fontana. We have access to all our information and they keep everything running so we can easily service our customers and continue growing this location,” noted Jeff.

Our Results

Since Util-IT was there in 2002, Gordy’s has experienced unprecedented growth. They have consistently been named to Cobalt’s Platinum Dealers list and in 2006, Boating Industry Magazine ranked Gordy’s the 15th overall boating dealership in the country. They have since moved up to 12th in 2007 and 10th in 2008. In 2007, they were named by the BizTimes as one of the 50 fastest growing companies in Southeastern Wisconsin and in 2008, they were honored as Wisconsin Family Business of the Year. While Gordy’s expertise in the Boating Industry is clear, their relationship with Util-IT has made it easy for them to manage this growth.

Gordy’s has been using Util-IT Monitoring and Management Solution since bringing Util-IT on board to handle their technology in 2002. Rallee noted “with Util-IT’s services in place, everything is taken care of for us. We do not have to think about a thing. And when there is the occasional issue, Util-IT’s Technical Assistance Center is just a phone call away.” Util-IT’s remote tools allow our technicians access to Gordy’s computers in a matter of minutes, allowing them to resolve their problem quickly and get Gordy’s staff back to work right away. The advantages of Util-IT services go far beyond the day to day support of Gordy’s business. According to owner, Steele Whowell, “we are now using technologies in many different ways: we can access our e-mail from our cell phones, connect to our systems from home over our VPN, we developed a corporate intranet to share important information with our full time and season staff, and built a wireless network for our customers at the Boat House and Cobalt Lounge. All of which was made possible because of expertise at Util-IT.”